Asphyxia by suffocating gases, that is, methane or carbon dioxide, is characterized by the displacement of oxygen from inspired air. Thus, the cells are unable to receive oxygen and, as a consequence, are affected by acute hypoxemic hypoxia. The brain suffers because of the hypoxemic state, the subject become unconscious, and then, respiration arrest occurs, followed by cardiac arrest. This is the physiopathologic mechanism leading to death.We report a case of a 35-year-old man found dead at home with his mouth containing a tube linked to the domestic methane gas system originating from the wall, sealed with packing tape.
Rossi, R., De Giorgio, F., Grassi, V. M., Pascali, V. L., Lancia, M., An Unusual Suicide: Asphyxia by Methane Gas, <<THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY>>, 2013; (Aprile): N/A-N/A. [doi:10.1097/PAF.0b013e3182886d4e] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/43472]
An Unusual Suicide: Asphyxia by Methane Gas
Rossi, Riccardo;De Giorgio, F;Grassi, Vincenzo Maria;Pascali, Vincenzo Lorenzo;
2013
Abstract
Asphyxia by suffocating gases, that is, methane or carbon dioxide, is characterized by the displacement of oxygen from inspired air. Thus, the cells are unable to receive oxygen and, as a consequence, are affected by acute hypoxemic hypoxia. The brain suffers because of the hypoxemic state, the subject become unconscious, and then, respiration arrest occurs, followed by cardiac arrest. This is the physiopathologic mechanism leading to death.We report a case of a 35-year-old man found dead at home with his mouth containing a tube linked to the domestic methane gas system originating from the wall, sealed with packing tape.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.